2019's Best Cities to Visit

The shopping scene in Singapore is as diverse as the country, between heritage brands and the flourishing local design scene, led by homegrown and internationally recognized designers. Orchard Road is also home to many international flagship stores for some of the world's biggest luxury brands, and Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport has a wide variety of duty-free shopping, global retail labels, and more than 80 restaurants.

Gearing up to host the Olympics, Tokyo is in the process of adding seven brand-new venues to accommodate. They are making a big push toward accessibility, which means outfitting even more of their public transport to be wheelchair friendly and usable for those with visual impairments. 

Historic temples and design-forward skyscrapers can both be found within Seoul’s city limits. They also have a record number of shopping districts, from Myeongdong Market, to the leather and antiques hub of Itaewon and the Insadong shops and teahouses.

The capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe is the perfect destination for design lovers—even just walking by the southwestern adobe structures is extremely scenic. When scouting the Sante Fe architecture, the Loretto Chapel’s “miracle staircase,” is worth a visit, as is Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

The energy in Miami is tangible, and the vibrant art, food, and shopping scene is going strong. From their newly renovated Kimpton EPIC Hotel to the Time Out Market’s May debut, this city never fails to churn out new and noteworthy happenings.

Lima offers some of the best architecture and museums in Peru by day, and the best of Peruvian nightlife for the evenings. They also do shopping with a view in this city—Larcomar is their outdoor mall with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

Home to one of the highest densities of commercial art galleries in the world, Melbourne has emerged as Australia’s arts and culture capital in recent years. Shopping in Melbourne rivals sartorial finds in any city, with Australian flagships for global fashion houses including Chanel and boutiques showcasing local designers tucked into the city’s laneways. Melbourne also hosts more than 3,000 live music performances every week and a revolving roster of sporting events on the world stage, like the 2019 President’s Cup and the 2020 Australian Open.

An underrated shopping destination, San Francisco has a perfect fusion of up-and-coming brands and old classics. The eclectic finds are on Haight Street, Fillmore Street offers pure elegance, and the cozy boutiques and galleries are in Hayes Valley.

As tourism booms in Mexico City, luxury hotels are eager to accommodate. Umbral, Curio Collection by Hilton, opened in August—the brand’s Mexico City debut. In true Mexico City fashion, these new properties are incorporating the artistic spirit of Mexico City whenever possible. Umbral, for example, is the city’s only hotel to feature an on-site gallery, which has more than 100 pieces by respected local artists.

The pink city, Jaipur is a design and photographer’s must-visit Indian destination. Agra may have the Taj Mahal (which is also quite noteworthy), but golden hour in Jaipur is the pure magic travelers spend their entire lives looking for.

The gateway to Scandinavia, Copenhagen has made a big push to show that they are a four-season destination. From autumn and winter hygge (it doesn’t have to be below freezing to be hygge season), to new Nordic culinary happenings, the city is constantly showing their chops on a global scale. Copenhagen is currently celebrating Kadeau’s second Michelin star, as of 2018, and Manfreds’ natural wine bar—the first of its kind in the city.

The capital of Scotland’s notable shopping hub is Princes Street, which has both high-end staples and unique, Edinburgh-only boutiques. Set between Princess Street Gardens and Waverly Train Station, Princes shows Edinburgh’s history and their newest attractions all in one place.

Hudson Yards opened to New Yorkers—and the world—in March of this year, and the seven-story shopping experience occupies one million square feet of space. The retail hub has over 100 stores, a co-working space, chic restaurants, and a whole lot more.

From shopping at Melrose Arch to their burgeoning arts scene, Johannesburg is going through a cultural and architectural renaissance after spending two decades being passed over by travelers en route to Cape Town. Maboneng, Jo’burg’s Brooklyn, is on the rise, now home to galleries and new hotels—a can't miss when traveling to South Africa.

The food scene is all but exploding in Bangkok, from the most expensive prix-fixe menu served at The Dome at lebua to hole-in-the-wall Somsong in the old quarter of the city. The ICONSIAM mall, which skirts the Chao Phraya River, opened to the public in November 2018.